PHILADELPHIA — In case he didn’t know it, the pressure’s on Trent Cole.

When the Eagles visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, they’ll be doing so with new (and old) defensive line coach Tommy Basher smashing out instructions. But Brasher’s presence is indicative of a new defensive approach for the Eagles – essentially gone is the wide-nine philosophy, replaced by something Cole should feel a little more comfortable with, even if it adds to the pressure on him of reacquainting himself not only with the notion of sacking the quarterback, but wreaking havoc in the backfield.

Though departed line coach Jim Washburn’s “wide-nine” approach was supposed to capitalize on the pass-rushing abilities of defensive ends Cole and Jason Babin, Cole has all of two quarterback sacks and 23 solo tackles this season. And Babin’s just gone.

“We’ve got to adjust to what’s going on and that’s being professional,” Cole said Friday. “This is a learning curve for all of the guys, for all of us. Also, this is going to help (his current linemates) in the future, as well.”

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The story of this week for Cole could be called “Back to the Future.”

He was a high-energy rookie in the last season of Brasher’s second stint as Eagles D-line coach in 2005.

“I thought I was a pass rusher when I came in,” Cole said, “but he broke me down and made me a real pass rusher.

“I might be right or I might be wrong, but it looks like he’s excited,” Cole added about Brasher. “I think he’s like, ‘Man, I’m back!’ ... just from what I’ve observed. It’s his first time in a long time back in the minute.”

It’s not the first time Cole is in the spotlight this season, however. His lack of sacks through the first 12 games has cast a nasty glare his way. It hasn’t quite made Cole camera shy, but he does seem hesitant to launch into individual superlatives or predictions of grandeur.

“It’s a little bit slower play, but I will say it’s more disciplined play,” Cole said of the system switch. “To Tommy, as players, we’ve got to get out there and play ball. That’s what it comes down to. It’s not the coaches, it’s just us as players. ... It’s got its advantages. But pretty much what we’re going to do is whatever he tells us to do.”

Cole said the Eagles’ linemen will now be able to do more reads than react as if by rote, which might be a good idea considering Tampa Bay has been lauded for its offensive line work this season, and an Eagles D-line that no longer has Babin will also be missing the services of veteran Mike Patterson.

At last word Friday, he was in a local hospital being treated for what doctors thought was a case of viral pneumonia.

“You get worried; I’m still worried now,” Cole said of Patterson. “I hope he comes out all right and I give him my very best and I’m praying for him. That’s one of my partners. I came into this game with him, so I am worried.”

While Patterson recovers, Cole can look around and see a lot of youth. Third-year man Brandon Graham and rookie Fletcher Cox are likely to start; rookies Vinny Curry and Cedric Thornton could see snaps.

“We’ll see from this game,” Cole said. “This can be a start back to the old days, I could say. I’m pretty excited. It’s something new. Not new, but new over last two years of doing something different. So I’m looking forward to this game and we’ll see what happens.”

“Both of those guys are doing activity at an extremely high level,” Burkholder said. “They went out today and ran 15 100-yard sprints with 50-yard walks in-between. ... and they’re doing real intense work in the weight room.”

Burkholder said his prime concern with Vick this week was that he still had trouble reacting to things with his eyes. As for McCoy, he’s experienced some fatigue and headache symptoms at night, which moved the Eagles to send him to Pittsburgh earlier in the week for another evaluation.

All testing checked out A-OK.

“They’re doing great,” Burkholder said. “They’re just not cleared for (football) activity yet. There’s nothing that’s alarming to me. ... I don’t think it’s frustrating for them that it’s taking so long, I think it’s frustrating for them that they’re not able to play with their teammates right now. They understand we’re protecting them to make sure they’re not going (to regress).”

NOTES

On the injury list, Vick, McCoy and Patterson are all listed as out, along with safety Kurt Coleman (sternum) and tackle Nate Menkin (throat). Though Andy Reid initially said Menkin “will be OK,” Menkin later tweeted he was finished for the season with a fractured cartilage in his throat. ... Reid confirmed Colt Anderson would start at safety in Coleman’s place. ... The Eagles will find themselves a party this weekend to a 10th-year reunion of the Buccaneers’ 2002 team that beat the favored Eagles in the NFC Championship Game and went on to win the Super Bowl. Said Reid: “We’re here to play this Tampa Bay team with this Eagles team, and play well. That was a long time ago. They don’t have a lot of the people there that I know now. The game at that time stuck in my craw; right now I want to play this team and play well against this team.”